Kelburne rise to the challenge

Such a scenario had looked unlikely when they found themselves in trouble after skipper Qasim Sheikh had won the toss and boldly elected to bat on a green wicket.

As so often in the past, veteran seamer Pat Druce was the man who did the bulk of the damage with three quick wickets as the Paisley team slumped to 21-4. Sheikh and overseas amateur Brad Williams were among Druce's victims while there was excellent support from Stuart Alexander who bowled unchanged for 15 overs to claim 1-32.

Kelburne were in desperate need of resistance to the threatening new-ball pair and it was provided in part by Omer Hussain and Jack O'Connell. Hussain, the former Saltires batsman, accumulated his runs mainly in singles while youngster O'Connell displayed commendable restraint. The pair had added 30 valuable runs when Hussain appeared to deflect a rising delivery on to his stumps.

However, having found their feet Kelburne were now in the mood to show some belligerence, and Stevie McLister was the man to provide it.

The all-rounder, on the radar of Reivers selectors two seasons ago, showed why with some expansive strokes on both sides of the wicket. He added 38 for the sixth wicket with O'Connell whose dogged vigil ended on 24. However, it was McLister's eighth-wicket stand with Dougie Wylie that caught the eye and brought the home side decisively into the contest. The pair added a brisk 64 as the Dumfries attack wearied for the first time.

McLister played the lead role with seven boundaries and two sweetly struck maximums, though Wylie almost stole his thunder with a switch-hit off Scott Beveridge over the boundary.

Druce returned to the attack to bowl Wylie for 31, while McLister was caught in the deep for a splendid 65 as Kelburne posted 199-9.

Dumfries suffered a dreadful start as they slumped to 20-4 in an opening spell that mirrored that of their hosts.

Unlike Kelburne, Dumfries were unable to dig themselves out of the hole, especially when Scott Hamilton pitched in to claim four wickets as the visitors fell to 64 all out.

East Kilbride carved out a thrilling win over West of Scotland in a low-scoring affair at Torrance House. West looked on course for their first win after Dave McNulty's four wickets helped dismiss the hosts for just 118.

However, East Kilbride fought back superbly with Ross Lyons, who had hit 30 crucial runs, picking up three wickets as the home side bowled out their rivals for 111.

Con de Lange, newly qualified for Scotland, may have caught the eye of the selectors with a brilliant 103no for Clydesdale as they beat Drumpellier by five runs at Titwood.

Ayr pace bowler Scott McElnea is another pushing for international honours and he did his chances no harm with a five-wicket haul as Renfrew were skittled for 53 before the champions raced to a nine-wicket win at Cambusdoon.

Ferguslie matched their Paisley neighbours by beating Uddingston at Bothwell Castle.

In the Eastern Premier Division history was made when Aberdeenshire's Adrian Neill produced the best bowling display ever in Scottish league cricket. The 21-year-old became the league's first player to claim all 10 wickets in an innings as the Granite City men demolished Watsonians. Neill returned figures of 10-31 in 12.4 overs.

After shooting out their opponents for 89 the stage was set for Eastern Premiership champions Shire, who weathered a shaky start and won by seven wickets.

Craig Wallace maintained his rich vein of form as Forfarshire prevailed against Stoneywood-Dyce.

Wallace top-scored with 67 while there were also half-centuries from Matty Parker and Scott Cameron as the Forthill side posted 278.

Arbroath overcame Falkland in a low-scoring affair at Scroggie Park while the clash between Heriot's and Carlton was rained-off.